Fastener setting machine with depressible work-supporting member



Nov. 21 1950 E. DIAMOND 2,530,380

FASTENER SETTING MACHINE WITH DEPRESSIBLE WORK-SUPPORTING MEMBER Filed Dec. 14, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

#Troe/ws-y 1950 E DIAMOND 2,530,380

FASTENER SETTING MACHINE WITH DEPRESSIBLE WORK-SUPPORTING MEMBER Filed Dec. 14, 1948 2 SheetsSheet 2 INVEN TOR. j i/PNl/EZ Emma/v0 Patented Nov. 21, 1950 FASTENER SETTING MACHINE WITH DE- PRESSIBLE WORK-SUPPORTING MEMBER Emanuel Diamond, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor of one-half to Clarence Frankford, Havertown, Pa.

Application December 14, 1948, Serial No. 65,190

5 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to umbrellas and it relates more particularly to an umbrella construction wherein a tie-and-snap closure is fastened to the cover closely adjacent one of the tips.

An object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for quickly, easily and inexpensively afiixing a tie-and-snap closure to an umbrella cover closely adjacent one of the tips of the cover. Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful machine which is constructed and arranged quickly, easily and inexpensively to affix a snap-fastener to an umbrella cover at a point closely adjacent one of the tips of the umbrella cover and'so as to secure a closure-tie tothe cover in such a manner that a complementary snap-fastener at the other end of the tie can be engaged with the first-mentioned snap-fastener when the tie is looped around the ribs of the closed umbrella.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

It is conventional to provide an umbrella with a tie or tape which is fastened to the cover at one end and which can be looped around the tips on the ends of the umbrella ribs so as to maintain them in tightly-closed relationship when the umbrella is not in use.

In a, large proportion of all umbrellas, particularly in ladies and childrens umbrellas, the tape is fastened to the umbrella cover closely adjacent to one of the tips so that, when formed into a closed loop, the closure will fit around the tips on the extreme outermost ends of the ribs.

While the closure tie is customarily provided with a button at its pointof attachment to the cover and with a complementary ring at its other end, it has heretofore been proposed to use snap-fasteners as the locking elements for the tie closure.

That is, it has heretofore been proposed to afiix a female snap-fastener element at the free end of the tie and to affix a male snap-fastener element adjacent (but somewhat spaced from) the attached end of the tie so as to permit the tie to be looped around the tips on the ends of the ribs when the umbrella is not in use..

However, this heretofore-proposed manner of connecting a tie-and-snap closure to an umbrella cover has not proven very satisfactory since it is an extremely time-consuming operation which, moreover, produces a relatively large proportiQll of defective or non-uniform umbrellaties,

Thus, in assembling a tie-and-snap closure to a cover in the manner heretofore proposed, it has been necessary, first to aflix the two snapfastener elements to the tie (with the male element spaced somewhat from the adjacent end thereof) and thereafter to attach the free end of the tie to the cover by interrupting one of the radial-seam sewing operation, inserting the free end of the tie intermediate the juxtaposed edges of the adjoining cover-segments and gores and thereafter continuing the radial-seam sewing operation so that the free end of the tie is held in place by the radial stitching. In this heretofore-proposed method, the tips are then automatically stitched in place at the ends of the radial seams, in conventional manner.

All attempts to affix the tie to the cover by using the snap-fastener element as the attaching member have heretofore proven unsuccess-. ful since the snap-fastener element, if connected directly to the cover material, must be placed closely adjacent the tip in order not to be obscured and covered over by the gore-edges of the cover when the umbrella is closed and since it has proven impossible to afiix a snap-fastener element closely adjacent one of the tips with a conventional snap-affixing machine.

That is, as can be seen by reference to Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings, the seam-lines connecting the gores of the umbrella cover are obscured by the free edges of the gores except at the extreme ends closely adjacent the tips so that unless a snap-fastener element is placed adjacent the very end of the seam-line closely adjacent one of the tips, it would be obscured from view in addition to being extremely difficult to couple (with the complementary snapfastener element carried by the free end of the tie).

As stated above, conventional snap-affixing machines have proven impractical in aflixing snap-fastener elements so closely adjacent the tips and have resulted in breaking of the tips by the dies of the machine and also have resulted in tearing of the relatively narrow area of cover material intervening the tip and the, fastener element.

By the present invention, it is possible, for the first time, to affix a tie to a completed umbrella cover closely adjacent one of the tips by automatically affixing the fastener element so that it passes through the cloth of the cover (spanning the seam-line) as well as through; the tie, without damaging the tip or tearing the cover intermediate the tip and the fastener.

Generally speaking, the present invention con-,

templates a novel method of, and apparatus for, affixing the tie-and-snap fastener element to the cover by yieldingly holding the tip out of the way of the fastener-attaching dies so as to permit the tip to move somewhat during the clamping movement of the dies thereby to prevent any stress on the cover such as would otherwise tear the material.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof which are at present preferred, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and organizations of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of an automatic fastener affixing machine embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 represents an enlarged view partly in elevation and partly in vertical cross-section, showing the front end of the embodiment of Figure 1., with the movable fastener-aflixing die shown in uppermost position in solid lines and in partially-lowered position in dash-dot mes.

Figure 3 represents a view generally like that of Figure 2 but showing the umbrella cover and tip placed in position with the movable die in lowermost position.

Figure 4 represents a perspective View, on a further enlarged scale, showing the fixed die and associated head-portion of the embodiment of Figures 13.

Figure 4a represents a plan view of the die and head-portion of Figure 4 but with the umbrella cover placed in position thereon preliminary to the fastening operation.

Figure 5 represents a fragmentary perspective viewshowing the umbrella cover with the tips attached but before afiixation of the tie-andsnap closure with the tips extending generally along radial lines paralleling the seams.

Figure 6 represents a fragmentary perspective view showing the tie-and-snap element afiixed to the cover in the relationship which would exist at the end of the aiiixing operation, namely with the tip generally vertical and at right angles to the seam-line.

Figure '7 represents a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale generally along the line l--l of Figure 6.

Figure 8 represents a perspective view of a finished umbrella embodying the present invenion.

Figure 9 represents a fragmentary plan view of the finished umbrella showing the relationship of the tip, seam and tie-and-snap elements.

Figure 10 represents a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken generally along the line l0l0 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 represents a perspective view generally like that of Figure 4 but showing a modified embodiment of the female die and tip-holder.

Figure 12 represents a vertical cross-sectional View of the embodiment of Figure 11.

Figure 13 represents a perspective view of a further modified form of fixed die wherein a portion of the supporting surface for the backing section of the snap-fastener is cut away adjacent the tip holder.

Figure 14 represents a cross-sectional view generally like that of Figure 2 but showing the embodiment of Figure 13.

Figure 15 represents a cross-sectional view generally like that of Figure 3 but showing the ei bodiment of Figures 13 and 14 and indicating the manner in which the backing section is bent somewhat into the cut-away portion of the die to accommodate extra cloth-thickness without interfering with the interconnection of the snapfastener sections.

Figure 16 represents a fragmentary cross-sectional view generally like that of Figure 14 but showing still another embodiment of the present invention in which the tip is carried by the upper movable die,

Figure 17 represents a horizontal cross-sectional view generally along the line il -ii of Figure 16.

In Figure 1, there is shown a machine for automatically fastening tie-and-snap elements to umbrella covers in accordance with the present invention. I

Except as will be described hereinbelow, the machine of Figure l is of generally conventional construction known to those skilled in the art and used for afixing snap-fasteners to cloth; as for example the machine sold commercially by United Carr Fast ner Corporation of Boston, Mass as Model No. M 235.

Aside from the construction of the lower fixed die-member and tip-holder which will be described in detail hereinbelow, the machine is conventional in desi n and includes an upper vertically-movable die 20 which is adapted to receive and frictionally hold the headed engaging-section 2! of a male snap-fastener element 22. The die 26 is normally tensioned to the uppermost position shown in solid lines in Figures 1 and 2 by an appropriate spring (not shown) and is constructed and arranged to be forced to the lowermost position shown in dash-dot lines in Figure 1 and also shown in Figure 3 by operation of an appropriate foot-pedal (not shown) through conventional linkage mechanism as indicated in Figure 1.

A lower fixed die 23 is provided with an uppermost elongated cylindrical portion 24 On which is sli ably mounted an apertured head portion 25 ha in a collar 2- for d on its und r sur ace.

The head portion 25 is normally tensioned to uppermost position by a helical spring 21; the collar 26 carrying a set-screw 28 which cooperates with an axial groove 29 on the cylindrical portion 24 so as to prevent rotation of the headportion and also to limit the upward movement of the head portion 25 relative to the cylindrical portion 24. The head portion 25 is provided with a generally cylindrical aperture extending vertically therethrough and also includes a pocket or depression 30 spaced somewhat rearwardly from the aperture 3| but connected therewith by a relatively shallow groove 32 formed in the upper surface 33, as indicated particularly in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

A vertical pin or tip-holder 34 is fixedly mounted within the pocket 30 with its uppermost end protruding slightly beyond the upper surface 33 of the head-portion 25.

In attaching a tie-and-snap element to an umbrella cover 36, the cover is first formed from a plurality of individual segments or gores 31 which are connected at their edges by generally radially extending seam-lines 38, after which infill filial tips 39 are fastened to the cover at the outer ends of the seam-lines 38, in a manner known to those skilled in the art; the tips 39 being disposed along generally radial lines extending parallel to and in continuation of the seamlines 38 as indicated particularly in Figure 5, with the open ends 40 of the tips 39 outermost.

Thereafter, the headed engaging element 2| of the male snap-fastener 22 is fitted within the bottom opening in the lowermost end of the movable die in conventional manner while a complementary mounting or backing element 4| is placed upon the lower fixed die 23 so that its cylindrical tip 4|a extends upward within the aperture 3| of the head portion 25, after which one of the tips 39 is tilted from its original position (in contact with and paralleling its seamline 38) to a position extending in generally the same plane as it originally occupied but disposed generally at right angles to the seam-line 38, and is then fitted over the pin or tip-holder 34 in the manner indicated in Figure 2 with its seam-line 38 extending within the groove 32 and across the aperture 3| in the manner indicated particularly in Figure 4a.

The folded-under end 42 of an elongated fabric tie 43 (to the other end of which has previously been fastened a female snap-fastener 44 in conventional manner) is then positioned above the cover so that it overlies the seam-line and extends generally at right angles thereto in the manner indicated particularly in Figures 2 and 6.

The foot-pedal (not shown) is then operated to move the upper die 20 downward to the intermediate position shown in dash-dot lines in Figure 2, wherein the fastener element 2| contacts the tie 43 which in turn contacts the cover extending across the top of the head portion 25.

Further downward movement of the die 20 moves the tie, cover and fastener elements downward with it and they force the head portion downward (against the pressure of its spring 21) and brings the snap-fastener elements 2| and 4| into permanently-assembled relationship with the tip 4|a of the backing element 4| passing through the cover spanning the seam-line 38 and through the folded-under end 42 of the die 43, and being forced into permanently-assembled relationship with the head of the engaging-element 2|, in conventional manner.

Since the pin or tip-holder 34 is carried by the head portion 25, this downward movement of the head portion also causes the tip 39 to move downward with the upper die 20 during the latter part of the fastening operation so that it gives or yields with the movable die so as to the provide sufiicient slack in the cover to prevent tearing of the intervening portion (that is the portion of the cover between the tip and the snapfastener) during the fastening step.

In this way the tip is held out of the way of the dies and the tearing of the cover (which occurs when the tip is held immovably during the fastening operation) is eliminated.

Thereafter, the foot-pedal is released whereupon the spring-tensioned upper die 20 returns to the uppermost position shown in Figure 2. The tip 38 is then lifted off the pin 34 and the cover is removed with the tie-and-snap fastened thereto closely adjacent the tip and spanning the seamline in the manner indicated in Figures 6 and 7.

The cover is then fastened to a frame in con ventional manner with the tips fitted over the ends of the ribs 45 and partially underlying the male snap-fastener 22 in the manner indicated in Figures 9 and 10.

In the finally completed umbrella, the tie is looped around the ends of the ribs and the female snap-fastener 44 is detachably connected to the male snap-fastener 22 to maintain the ribs in closed relationship when the umbrella is not in use in the manner indicated in Figure 8.

In Figures 11 and 12 there is shown a modified embodiment of the present invention wherein the movable head-portion is eliminated and, instead, a fixed lower die 45 is provided with a slightly recessed seat 4! to hold the mounting or backing element 4| of the male snap-fastener 22.

The die 46 is also provided with a generally vertical socket 48 in which a pin or tip-holder 49 is slidably mounted. The tip-holder is normally urged upwardly within the socket 48 (with its uppermost end protruding somewhat beyond the top of the die) by a spring 50; movement of the pin being limited by a set screw 5| which extends through the rear wall of the die 46 and into an axial groove 52 formed in the lowermost enlarged cylindrical base 53 of the tip-holder 49.

A shallow groove 54 may be formed in the upper surface 55 of the die 46 so as to extend intermediate the seat 41 and the socket 48 in a manner analogous to the groove 32 shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The method of operation of this embodiment is similar to that described hereinabove in connection with Figures 1-4; the tip 39 being positioned upon the tip-holder 49 with the seam extending through the groove 54 and across the socket 48 (within which the backing-element 4| has first been inserted).

Downward movement of the upper die 20 will then cause the elements 2| and 4| to engage with the tip 4l-a passing through the seam-line 38 and through the tie 43 and into permanentlyengaged relationship with the head of the engaging element 2|.

During downward movement of the upper die 23, the tip-holder as will yield somewhat (against the pressure of its spring 53) so as to permit the tip to move downward with the die 26 during the fastening operation, thereby to prevent tearing of the cover in the zone intervening the tip and the snap-fastener.

It can thus be seen that in this embodiment, as well as in the embodiment of Figures 1-4, the tip is held out of the way of the dies during the snap-fastener afiixing operation and, at the same time, is free to move somewhat with the movable die to afford sufficient slack in the cover to prevent tearing of the cover in the zone intervening the tip and the snap-fastener.

In Figures 13-15 there is shown a modified form of the embodiment of Figures 1-4 wherein the upper surface 55 of the fixed die 5'5, instead of lying completely in a horizontal plane (as in the embodiment of Figures l-l) is beveled or notched as at 58 adjacent the tip-holder 34. The bevel or notch extends inwardly for somewhat less than half the diameter of the die 51 and preferably about one-quarter to one-third of the diameter.

In this embodiment, the presence of the bevel or notch 58 permits the corresponding portion of the flange of the backing element 4| to be bent downwardly as at 59 when the dies come together as indicated in Figure 15 where there is thickness of material. This does not appreciably weaken the interconnection between the elements 2! and 4|, and, since it is disposed underneath the cover and above the rib, in the final structure, it is not objectionable .in appearance or otherwise. That is, it has been found insimilar cases (particularly where the fabric of the umbrella cover is relatively stiff or bulky) that the collar 68 of cover-material which extends beyond the stitching E3! of the tip 35! tends to be doubledover inwardly during the fastener-affixing operation so as to extend inward beyond the periphery of the flange of the backing element 81, as indicated in Figure 15, so as to cause added thickness which throws the backing-element 42 out of line and produces a defective fastener in which the head of the male element 21 is expanded or distorted (so as to make connection with the female fastener diiicult) or in which the sections 2| and ti are not properly inter-connected.

Here the bevel or notch 58 on the die 5'! permits the flange of the backing element ii to yield slightly as at 535, when the pressure becomes excessive, so as to accommodate the extra thickness of the cover-material.

In other words, the formation of the bent portion 59 in the flange of the backing-element 4! provides the extra clearance necessary to accommodate the added layers of doubled-over covermaterial adjacent the tip, and, at the same time, permits elements 2! and El to be brought sufficiently close together to insure proper penetration of the tip 4 la of the backing element t! into the engaging clement so as to provide a firm interconnection therebetween.

In Figures 16 and 17 there is shown still another embodiment of the present invention wherein the tip 35;, instead of being yieldingly mounted relative to the fixed die, is mounted upon the upper movable die 28 so that it moves simultaneously therewith (toward the fixed die) duringthe snap-afiixing operation, to prevent any stress on the cover such as might tear the material intervening the snap and the tip.

In the embodiment of Figures 16 and 17, a clamp-member 62 is fitted about the upper movable die slightly above the lowermost end thereof and is held securely thereon by a boltand-nut connection 53 as indicated particularly in Figure 17.

The clamp-member 552 (which may be of spring-steel or other resilient material) in-- cludes a pair of concavely curved opposed jaws 3 which are normally spaced apart somewhat less than the diameter of the tip 39; the springjaws 64 being displaced rearwardly or inwardly of the die 23.

The lower fixed die 35, as indicated particularly in Figure 16, generally resembles the fixed die d6 of Figure 12 except that the resilient pin or tip-holder 49 is omitted from the socket i8a and that the seat il -a is beveled in the area adjoining the groove E-i-a as in the embodiment of Figures l2-1 l (to permit slight bending of the baching-section M).

In operating the embodiment of Figures 16 and 17, the fastener-elements 2| and 4! are first inserted in the dies 20 and 65 respectively, after which the cover is placed in position underneath the die 26 with the tip 39 extending generally vertically and at right angles to its seam-line 38 in the same manner as indicated in Figure 6. The tip is then raised somewhat so that it spreads and enters the spring-jaws 64 which then firmly grip the outside of the tip somewhat above the cover as indicated in Figures 16 and 17.

The tie 43 is then placed in position overlying and extending at right angles to the seam-line 38 whereupon the foot-pedal (not shown) is operated to move the die 20, the clamp-member 62 and the tip 39 from the uppermost position shown in solid lines of Figure 16 and the lowermost position shown in dash-dot lines in Figure 16 (wherein the lower open end of the tip 39 extends within the socket i8a thereby to force the tip iilct of the backing element through the cover and the tie and into inter-locking engagement with the engaging-element 2|.

As mentioned in connection with the embodiment of Figures 12-14, the flange of the backingelement is free to bend somewhat into the beveled portion of the seat 4Ea so as to accommodate the extra thickness of cover material adjacent the tip and resulting from the collar around the tip.

After the elements 2! and M have been connected, the tip 39 is pulled free of the springjaws 6d and the cover is ready for mounting on the umbrella frame in the manner described hereinabove. r

The mounting of the tip 38 upon the movable die 2% enables the tip to move with the die '(and thereby to prevent any stress on the cover such as might otherwise tear the portion intervening the snap-fastener and the tip) in a manner analogous to that described in connection with the foregoing embodiments.

It is obvious that, in place of the clamp-member 52, any other equivalent form 0f clamp or holder could be mounted on the movable die so as releasably to hold the tip vertically and in fixed relationship to the movable die 23.

As discussed hereinabove, the present invention permits a tie -and-snap closure element to be firmly afiixed closely adjacent one of the tips of the cover in an operation requiring only a few seconds and with no danger of damage or injury to the tip or to the cover.

By the novel method and apparatus of the present invention, an operator can aifix six to ten or even more tie-and-snap units to umbrella covers per minute which represents an increase in speed of several hundred per cent over conventional methods heretofore employed for affixing tie-andsnap fastener units of umbrella covers.

While the snap-fastener which anchors the tie to the umbrella cover has been described as a male fastener (with a female fastener at the free end of a tie), the present invention is not so limited and, instead, contemplates a reversal of these snap-fasteners so that the female fastener is the one which anchors the tie to the cover.

The present invention also contemplates the use of equivalent forms of attachable and detachable fasteners in place of the snap-fasteners described hereinabove. As used in the appended claims, the expression fastener is intended to comprehend all forms of conventional quick attachable and detachable fasteners which have a male or female engaging element and which are adapted to be anchored to the underlying fabric by a rivet-like backing element constructed and arranged to be forced through the fabric and into permanently-assembled relationship with the engaging element.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms Without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent:

1. In a fastener-attaching machine having a lower fixed die constructed and arranged to hold a fastener element and having an upper movable die constructed and arranged to hold a complementary fastener element in vertical alignment with the first-mentioned fastener element and having means for forcing the movable die downward so as tn bring said elements into inter-locking relationship; a generally vertical pin positioned adjacent said fixed die and constructed. and arranged so as to hold the tip of an umbrellacover, and means permitting said pin to move downward relative to said fixed die during at least the latter part of the downward movement of the movable die thereby to minimize pull on the cover during the inter-connecting operation of the fastener elements. a

2. In a fastener-attaching machine having a lower fixed die constructed and arranged to hold a fastener element and having an upper movable die constructed and arranged to hold a complementary fastener element in vertical alignment with the first-mentioned fastener element and having means for forcing the movable die downward so as to bring said elements into interlocking relationship; a protruding head portion telescopically mounted upon said fixed die and spring-tensioned upwardly so as normally to extend upward beyond said fixed die, and a pin carried by said head portion and constructed and arranged so as vertically to hold, the tip of an umbrella-cover, said head portion being constructed and arranged to be forced downward by the movable die thereby to effect downward movement of the pin and tip during the latter part of the fastener-element inter-connecting operation so as to minimize pull on the cover.

3. A machine for affixing a tie-and-fastener to an umbrella-cover made up of a plurality of segments connected along generally radial seamlines and having tips stitched thereto at the outer ends of the seam-lines; said machine comprising a lower fixed die constructed and arranged to support the flanged backing element of a fastener at its upper end, an upper movable die constructed and arranged to hold the engaging element of the aforesaid fastener in vertical alignment with the backing element and to be moved downward so as to bring said elements into inter-connecting relationship, and a pin disposed closely adjacent said fixed die and constructed and arranged to maintain one of the tips in generally vertical position and generally at right angles to its seamline, said pin being spring-tensioned upward so as normally to maintain the tip at a level somewhat higher than the fixed die and being free to be moved downward during the latter part of the movement of the movable die so as to minimize pull on the cover during the fastener-element inter-connecting operation.

i 4. A machine for affixing a tie-and-fastener to an umbrella-cover made up of a plurality of segments connected along generally radial seamlines and having tips stitched thereto at the outer ends of the seam-lines; said machine comprising a lower fixed die constructed and arranged to support the flanged backing element of a fastener vertical position and generally at right angles to its seam-line, said pin being spring-tensioned upward so as normally to maintain the tip at a level somewhat higher than the fixed die and being free to be moved downward during the latter part of the movement of the movable die so as to minimize pull on the cover during the fastener-element inter-connecting operation, the uppermost end of the fixed die being beveled along the zone adjoining the tip-holder so as to enable the flange of the backing element to yield somewhat along said zone and thereby to accommodate any extra thickness of cover material without interfering with the inter-connection of the fastener elements.

5. In a fastener-attaching machine having a lower fixed die constructed and arranged to hold afastener element and having an upper movable die constructed and arranged to hold a complementary fastener element in vertical alignment with the first-mentioned fastener element and having means for forcing the movable die downward so as to bring said fastener elements into inter-locking relationship; and a spring-clamp mounted on said movable die and constructed and arranged resiliently to hold the tip of an umbrella-cover in generally vertical position when said umbrella-cover is positioned below said movable die, whereby said tip-holder and tip will move downward with said movable die thereby to minimize pull on the cover during the interconnecting operation.

EMANUEL DIAMOND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PA'IENTS Number Name Date 7 1,263,787 Meyer Apr. 23, 1918 1,314,230 Weinberg Aug. 26, 1919 1,403,438 Morris Jan. 10, 1922 1,499,625 Miller et a1. July 1, 1924 1,692,182 Mayer Nov. 20, 1928 2,345,476 Huelster et al Mar. 28, 1944 

